Self-Help Groups of about 10 to 15 rural women under NRLM (Aajeevika), built into Village and Cluster Federations.
18.5% of enterprises in Nilgiris are women-owned. 94.6% of women have their own bank account, better than the typical district. Small business loans in the district run at ₹41,000 per lakh population. NRLM Self Help Groups are the vehicle through which women access credit like this to build livelihoods.
72% of registered enterprises are in services while 28% are in manufacturing. Only 2% of employment is in small and medium enterprises. 68% of school-age children are enrolled in higher secondary school (classes 9–12).
In Nilgiris, which ranks 25 of 38 in Tamil Nadu for youth opportunity, the overall opportunity score is 49.4 out of 100. The district runs ahead of the national picture on women in the labour force at 61.5% and women taking part in all major household decisions at 93.6%, while it lags on women's freedom of movement at 35.9%.